“Get the fuck off me,” I snap, pushing him back although it does no good.
He crowds me with his body and my traitorous mind chooses this exact moment to remind me exactly what happened over a year ago up against this very wall.
Rafaelle’s eyes gleam as he notes the expression on my face. I know he can tell exactly what I’m thinking about. He steps back once, twice, putting some distance between us and giving me some much-needed breathing room. I exhale softly, trying to calm my racing heart.
“That’s right. Take a breath, Liliana. And then we can talk like civilized people,” he says to me.
“Civilized people?!” My voice comes out shrill and high pitched. “You kidnapped me.”
He pauses, “Technically when the plan was set in motion, I didn’t think it was going to be you.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
He doesn’t reply, relapsing into unnerving silence as he watches me for a bit. I try my best not to fidget under his gaze.
“Why are you so angry?” he eventually says. “Asides the kidnap. I would like to point out that I’m the injured party in this situation. I have every reason to be pissed at you.”
Oh my God, he’s insane.
“What is wrong with you?” I spit out.
His voice lowers with a dark edge, “You fucking disappeared! Why?”
“None of your business.”
He exhales an exasperated breath.
“Just let me go, Rafaelle. Please,” I try to appeal to some sort of humanity in his twisted heart.
But I should have known he doesn’t have one. Not a heart and certainly no humanity.
“You’re not going anywhere, Liliana. Not until I say so. But it’s certainly nice to hear you beg.”
I meet his gaze with all the bitterness welling up inside me.
“I hate you! You’re a monster!”
“And yet you slept with a monster so what does that make you?” he retorts.
“Fuck you, Rafaelle. Get out! If I can’t leave, then the least you can do is leave me alone. I don’t want to see your face and I want nothing to do with you. Get the fuck out!” I say hysterically.
He’s still so fucking calm, although I can see the rage underneath the exterior in his eyes. His gaze holds mine for a beat, then he turns around and walks out of the room without another word. I exhale in relief once he’s gone.
But I know it’s only a temporary respite. He’ll be back.
I’m not sure how much time passes before I hear the door handle turning, alerting me to someone’s arrival. Rafaelle walks through the door carrying a first aid kit in his hand. I’d been sitting on the edge of the bed, but I climb in further at the sight of him, fear rushing at my chest. At least I’m finally reacting appropriately to him. But it’s pretty clear from the frown on his face that he doesn’t like it one bit.
“What do you want now?” I ask, calmer after being left alone for so long.
I need to be smart about this. Gather information and weigh my chances of getting out alive.
He shakes the box in his hand like it holds all the answers before pointing at my bruised knee. The material of my leggings is ripped and there’s a gash there that’s been stinging for a bit. It’s only a mild pain though, easy to ignore in the face of my current predicament.
“I’m fine. I don’t need your help.”
He doesn’t reply. His hand latches onto my foot and he drags me easily back to the edge of the bed. I sit as still as possible, barely moving as he crouches down in front of me.
“Where’s my phone?”
